DaVincis - Eating Gifted Children (1988)

Da Vincis (aka DaVincis): Guitar band formed in 1984 as The Dream Play by Paul McCormick (vocals, guitars), Martin Smith (guitars), Chris Stevens (bass, later with Mugstar, Cicada Falls, Rattlebus), Faith Moore (drums). They became the Da Vincis in 1985 when Smith was replaced by Martin Ward (former Redo Zebri later Mugstar, Rattlebus) and Faith by Iain Bickle (ex Fire). As to this change in the line-up Sara Cohen claims: “When the drummer of the Da Vincis was ousted from the band and a replacement brought in, the improvement in the social relationships within the band was reflected in the nature and competence of its stage performance. The band members looked as though they were enjoying themselves and there was more contact between them. They watched, smiled, glanced, and made faces at each other, moved more about the stage, and generally seemed more confident and relaxed.” (Rock Culture in Liverpool, 1991, 82)

The Da Vincis became part of the collective of bands working at the Vulcan Studios, together with the Jactars, Crikey It’s the Cromptons!, Ryan, Decemberists, One Last Fight. Curiously, some of these bands shared the same strategies to write songs: “The process could take several months, particularly since it involved so much repetition and experimentation and there was often lengthy discussion and disagreement over factors such timing, counting, and tuning. [This] method of composition and rehearsal partly arose from, and was hampered by, […] lack of musical training. […] A member of the Da Vincis […] described their music making as a process of ‘hit and miss’ or ‘trial an error’.” (Cohen, 141). “The lyrics of [other bands and] the Da Vincis were written by the vocalists [McCormick, ndr] and their meaning was cryptic and personal to them. The othe band members appreciated that and although they didn’t understand the lyrics they admired them and found them interesting. Nevertheless the lyrics were written on their behalf and did express their own feelings in a way or another” (Cohen, 177). A member of the Da Vincis said that “all bands comprised members with different tastes in music which was usually reflected in their music. However […] sometimes it can all come together and you can produce something that is an expression of the whole band” (Cohen, 186).

After providing a track for the Vulcan’s compilation Ways to Wear Coats, the band also contributed a song (Ava Gardner) for a Merseyside Musicians Bur. Compilation cassette in 1987. In the same year they recorded a Peel Session (which contained the songs New Ways to Wear Coats, parodying the title of this compilation) and released the mini-Lp Eating Gifted Children.

Eating Gifted Children (1988)

- When you're in
- Thoughtless
- Charlotte
- Thomas Wolfe
- Safe Locked Alone
- Chris Said

In 1988 a second Peel Session and a single (Pull) were recorded featuring Steve Ashton on drums. The following year Mike James replaced Martin Ward on guitar for a German tour (Nov/Dec89). They also toured France before changing several lead guitarists, operating as a three-piece for a certain period of time, then disbanding after playing their last gig in March 1990.

You can find the band’s mini-lp here (thanks to our friend Rushbo)